Lens barrel, driving method thereof, and image pickup device

ABSTRACT

A lens barrel which is capable of increasing the total length of the lens barrel in a shooting state even in a case where the collapsed lens barrel length is short, with a simple construction. A shooting optical system is disposed movably in an optical axis direction. A lens barrel driving member moves the shooting optical system in the optical axis direction while rotating around the optical axis. A lens barrel driving member moving unit moves the lens barrel driving member in the optical axis direction in a transition region during which the lens barrel moves between a shooting state and a non-shooting state while the driving member rotating.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a lens barrel where a photographicoptical system is disposed movably in an optical axis direction, itsdriving method, and an image pickup device, such as a digital camerawhich is equipped with the above-mentioned lens barrel.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, in a camera equipped with a telescopic lens barrel, thelens barrel is made short in an optical axis direction by beingcollapsed so as to increase its portability at the time of not shooting,and at the time of shooting, conversely, the lens barrel is projectedfrom a camera body to secure the total length of a shooting lens. In alens barrel which performs such a telescopic operation, there is known atechnology of driving a shooting lens in the lens barrel using acylindrical lens barrel driving member (hereinafter, referred to as “thedrive ring”) which is rotated around a shooting optical axis by adriving force of a motor.

Then, out of the lens barrels using the drive ring, some lens barrelsmay drive members other than the shooting lens with the drive ring (seeJapanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 08-122858).

The drive ring in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No.08-122858 is so constructed as to have, on its outer peripheral surface,a cam for driving a finder lens, and have a shooting lens thereinside.Then, the drive ring rotates around an optical axis of the shootinglens, and drives a finder lens while transferring its driving force tothe shooting lens disposed thereinside.

In Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 09-105982, thedrive ring has, at its outer peripheral surface, a convex portion formaking a strobe retractable, and this drive ring rotates around anoptical axis of a shooting lens, and drives the strobe whiletransferring its driving force to the shooting lens disposedthereinside.

However, in the above-mentioned conventional cameras, in order tosatisfy user needs of using a lens with higher magnification than everbefore, there has been desired a lens barrel which can further increasethe total length of the lens barrel in a shooting state even in a casewhere the collapsed lens barrel length is short.

Although it is considered to use the above-mentioned drive ring in orderto attain this technology with a simple construction, each of the driverings used for the conventional lens barrels mentioned above merelyfunctions as means for transferring its driving force to the lens barreletc. in a telescopic operation, and hence, it is not so constructed thatthe drive ring itself moves in the optical axis direction. Therefore,the drive ring itself has not been used so as to further increase thetotal length of the lens barrel in the shooting state.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above-mentioned problems, it is, therefore, an object ofthe present invention to provide a lens barrel, a driving methodthereof, and an image pickup device, which is capable of increasing thetotal length of a telescopic lens barrel in a shooting state even in acase where the collapsed lens barrel length is short, with a simpleconstruction.

To attain the above-mentioned object, according to a first aspect of thepresent invention, there is provided a lens barrel comprising: ashooting optical system disposed movably in an optical axis direction; alens barrel driving member which moves the shooting optical system inthe optical axis direction while rotating around the optical axis; and adriving member moving unit which moves the lens barrel driving member inthe optical axis direction in a transition region during which the lensbarrel moves between a shooting state and a non-shooting state while thedriving member rotating.

Preferably, the lens barrel driving member moving unit has a first camgroove portion that is formed on a surface of the lens barrel drivingmember and is comprised of a cam track for moving the lens barreldriving member in the optical axis direction, and a fitting member thatis fixed to a supporting member supporting the lens barrel, and isfitted into the first cam groove portion.

Preferably, the lens barrel driving member has a second cam grooveportion comprised of a cam track for driving a shooting-related memberexcept the shooting optical system.

Preferably, the second cam groove portion is comprised of a cam trackfor driving an external finder lens.

Preferably, the second cam groove portion is comprised of a cam trackfor performing a retracting operation of an external strobe.

Preferably, the second cam groove portion is comprised of a cam trackfor performing an operation related to opening and closing of a barriercovering a light introducing portion of the lens barrel concerned.

Preferably, a transition region of the cam track in the first cam grooveportion between the shooting state and the non-shooting state and atransition region of the cam track in the second cam groove portionbetween the shooting state and the non-shooting state are parallel toeach other.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is providedan image pickup device, comprising the above-mentioned lens barrel, andperforming a shooting operation using the lens barrel.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method of driving a lens barrel including a shooting optical systemdisposed movably in an optical axis direction, comprising the steps of:moving the shooting optical system in the optical axis direction whilerotating around the optical axis; and moving the lens barrel drivingmember in the optical axis direction in a transition region during whichthe lens barrel moves between a shooting state and a non-shooting statewhile the lens barrel driving member rotating.

According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the totallength of the lens barrel in a shooting state even in a case where thecollapsed lens barrel length is short, with a simple construction.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate thesame or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the presentinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a camera which has a lensbarrel according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the camera shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, taken along the line B-B, of a lens barrel 6when the lens barrel 6 is in a retracted (collapsed) state.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view, taken along the line C-C, of the lens barrel6 when the lens barrel 6 in the retracted state.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a CCD holder.

FIG. 6 is a perspective rear side view of a drive ring according to thefirst embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective front side view of the drive ring.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view, taken along the line A-A, of the lens barrelaccording to the first embodiment, which is in a wide-angle state.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view, taken along the line B-B, of the lens barrelwhich is in the wide-angle state.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view, taken along the line C-C, of the lensbarrel which is in the wide state.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view, taken along the line B-B, of the lensbarrel which is in a telephoto state.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view, taken along the line C-C, of the lensbarrel 6 which is in the telephoto state.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a multistage collapsible mount type lensbarrel according to a second embodiment, which is in a retracted state.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view, taken along the line A-A, of the lensbarrel according to the second embodiment, which is in a wide-anglestate.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view, taken along the line A-A, of the lensbarrel which is in the telephoto state.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a main part of a digital camerawhich has a lens barrel according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a top view showing a relationship between a zooming typestrobe and a drive ring when the lens barrel is retracted.

FIG. 18 is a top view showing a relationship between the zooming typestrobe and the drive ring when the lens barrel is in a wide-angle state.

FIG. 19 is a top view showing a relationship between the zooming typestrobe and the drive ring when the lens barrel is in a telephoto state.

FIG. 20 is an external perspective view of a digital camera which has alens barrel according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a main part of the digital camera,showing a relationship between a retractable type strobe and a drivering when the lens barrel is in a retracted state.

FIG. 22 is a top view the main part of the digital camera, showing arelationship between the retractable type strobe and drive ring in theretracted state.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the main part of the digital camera,showing a relationship between the retractable type strobe and drivering when the lens barrel in a shooting state.

FIG. 24 is a top view the main part of the digital camera, showing arelationship between the retractable type strobe and drive ring in theshooting state.

FIG. 25 is an external perspective view of a digital camera, having alocking mechanism of a sliding type barrier, according to a fifthembodiment.

FIG. 26 is an external perspective view of a digital camera, having alocking mechanism of a sliding type barrier, according to a fifthembodiment.

FIG. 27 is an external perspective view of a digital camera, having alocking mechanism of a sliding type barrier, according to a fifthembodiment.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a main part of the digital camera,showing a constructional relationship between the barrier and the drivering when the barrier is in a state shown in FIG. 25.

FIG. 29 is a top view of the main part of the digital camera, showing aconstructional relationship between the barrier and the drive ring whenthe barrier is in a state shown in FIG. 25.

FIG. 30 is a top view of the main part of the digital camera, showing aconstructional relationship between the barrier and drive ring when thebarrier is in a state shown in FIG. 26.

FIG. 31 is a top view of the main part of the digital camera, showing aconstructional relationship between the barrier and drive ring when thebarrier is in a state shown in FIG. 27.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described indetail below with reference to the drawings.

<Construction of Camera>

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a camera which has a lensbarrel according to a first embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 2 is a front view of the camera shown in FIG. 1.

This camera 1 is covered with an exterior member 3 having operationmembers and a liquid crystal display device, both of which are notshown. Furthermore, this camera 1 comprises a digital camera which isequipped with a hard board having not only a finder unit 4, a strobe 5,and a telescopic lens barrel 6, but also circuits comprised of electricelements and the like, a battery, a recording device for recording anobject image, and the like, the latter of which are not shown.

<Construction of Lens Barrel and its Periphery>

Out of thus constructed digital camera, construction of the telescopiclens barrel 6 and its periphery will be described with reference toFIGS. 3 to 7.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, taken along the line B-B, of the lens barrel6 when the lens barrel 6 is in a retracted (collapsed) state, and FIG. 4is a sectional view, taken along the line C-C, of the lens barrel 6 whenthe lens barrel 6 is in the retracted state. In addition, FIG. 5 is aperspective view of a CCD holder 9.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lens barrel 6 has a first group barrel 20holding a first lens group 17, a second group holder 24 holding a secondlens group 21, and a third group holder 11 holding a third lens group10, which are sequentially arranged from a light introduction side. Thethird group holder 11 is mounted on the CCD holder 9 in a deepestportion of a camera body.

A cylindrical drive ring 14 characterizing this embodiment is disposedaround the first group barrel 20 and the second group holder 24.Rotation of this drive ring 14 causes its driving force to betransferred to the first group barrel 20 and the second group holder 24.

The first group barrel 20 has, besides the first lens group 17, a lensbarrier 18 and a barrier driving device 19 mounted thereon. The lensbarrier 18 serves for a member for protecting the first lens group 17when the lens barrel 6 is retracted, and is driven by the barrierdriving device 19. In addition, on the second group holder 24 aremounted the second lens group 21, a shutter blade 22, and a shutterdriving device 23 for driving the shutter blade 22.

Then, the CCD holder 9 supporting the lens barrel 6 has, fixed thereto,not only a CCD 7 as an image sensing element, a low-pass filter 8, andthe third group holder 11 mounted thereon, but also a cylindrical fixedbarrel 13 which supports the first group barrel 20 and the second grouplens holder 24 linearly movably in an optical axis direction. That is,the first group barrel 20 and the second lens group holder 24 arerestricted in movement in the optical axis direction by the fixed barrel13 which is disposed therebetween. Furthermore, a publicly-known lenstelescopic mechanism (not shown) which is comprised of a guide bar, astepping motor, and a lead screw device is mounted on the CCD holder 9to drive the third lens group 10 in the optical axis direction.

As shown in FIG. 5, three bayonet keys 9 a are disposed at regularintervals on the cylindrical portion 9 b of the CCD holder 9. Thebayonet keys 9 a, characterizing this embodiment, are fitted intobayonet grooves 14 b of the drive ring 14, respectively, and hence areused for causing the drive ring 14 itself to advance or retreat in theoptical axis direction, as described hereinbelow.

FIG. 6 is a perspective rear side view of the drive ring 14 according tothe first embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a perspective front side view of thedrive ring 14.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the drive ring 14 has a gear portion 14 a onits outer peripheral surface, and is driven by a publicly-known lensbarrel driving device (not shown) comprised of a gear train, a zoommotor, etc. which are connected to this gear portion 14 a. That is, thedrive ring 14 is held by the cylindrical portion 9 b of the CCD holder 9so as to rotate around the optical axis. In addition, rotation drivingof the zoom motor is controlled by a circuit on a hard board (notshown).

Furthermore, the drive ring 14 has three bayonet keyways 14 b, formed onits outer peripheral surface, which are comprised of a collapsing region14 b 1, a transition region 14 b 2, and a shooting region 14 b 3. Inaddition, the drive ring 14 has three first group cam grooves 14 e andthree second group cam grooves 14 f are formed on its inner peripheralsurface.

Here, the three first group cam grooves 14 e of the drive ring 14 arefitted to three pin portions 20 a of the first group barrel 20,respectively. In addition, the second group cam grooves 14 f are fittedto two cam pins 24 a and an urging pin 26 of the second lens groupholder 24. The urging pin 26 is urged outwardly in a directionorthogonal to the optical axis by an urging spring 25 (refer to FIG. 8described later).

Since three pin portions 20 a are fitted into the first group camgrooves 14 e of the drive ring 14 and then restricted linearly movablyby the fixed barrel 13. Rotation of the drive ring 14 allows the firstgroup barrel 20 to advance or retreat along the first group cam grooves14 e in the optical axis direction without rotating with respect to thecamera body.

In addition, since the two cam pins 24 a and the urging pin 26 arefitted into the second group cam grooves 14 f of the drive ring 14 tothereby be restricted linearly movably by the fixed barrel 13. Rotationof the drive ring 14 allows the second group lens holder 24 to advanceor retreat along the second group cam grooves 14 f in the optical axisdirection without rotating with respect to the camera body.

Furthermore, a bayonet key 9 a of the CCD holder 9 is fitted into thebayonet keyway 14 b of the drive ring 14. Hence, rotation of the drivering 14 causes, a portion of the bayonet keyway 14 b into which thebayonet key 9 a is fitted to shift from the collapsing region 14 b 1through the transition region 14 b 2 to the shooting region 14 b 3.Then, according to a step (lift) of the transition region 14 b 2 in theoptical axis direction, the drive ring 14 itself moves in the opticalaxis direction.

On the other hand, the finder unit 4 disposed at an upper portion of thelens barrel 6 has an optical system which is independent of the lensbarrel 6. This finder unit 4 is zoomed by advancing or retreating twofinder lenses 27, 28 in the optical axis direction according to azooming operation of the lens barrel 6.

On the outer peripheral surface of the drive ring 14 are formed a findercam groove 14 c for driving the finder lens 27 in the optical axisdirection, and a finder cam groove 14 d for driving the finder lens 28in the optical axis direction, besides the three bayonet keyways 14 bcomprised of the collapsing region 14 b 1, the transition region 14 b 2,and the shooting region 14 b 3.

The finder cam groove 14 c is comprised of a collapsing region 14 c 1, atransition region 14 c 2, and a shooting region 14 c 3, and the findercam groove 14 d is comprised of a collapsing region 14 d 1, a transitionregion 14 d 2, and a shooting region 14 d 3. Then, the transition region14 c 2 of the finder cam groove 14 c, and the transition region 14 d 2of the finder cam groove 14 d are approximately parallel in cam track tothe transition region 14 b 2 of the bayonet keyway 14 b.

As shown in FIG. 4, the finder lens 27 has a sleeve portion 27 a and acam pin 27 b, and the finder lens 28 has a sleeve portion 28 a and a campin 28 b similarly. Since the finder lens 27 is supported linearlymovably in the optical axis direction by a guide bar 29 fitted into thesleeve portion 27 a and the cam pin 27 b is fitted into the finder camgroove 14 c, rotation of the drive ring 14 allows the finder lens 27 tomove in the optical axis direction. Since the finer lens 28 is supportedlinearly movably in the optical axis direction by the guide bar 29fitted into the sleeve portion 28 a and the cam pin 28 b is fitted intothe finder cam groove 14 d, rotation of the drive ring 14 allows thefinder lens 28 to move in the optical axis direction.

In addition, the finder lenses 27, 28 are urged nearer to each other bya tension spring not shown lest the cam pin 27 b should separate fromthe finder cam groove 14 c, and lest the cam pin 28 b should separatefrom the finder cam groove 14 d.

A lens barrel telescopic operation of a digital camera using the zoomlens barrel 6 with the above-mentioned construction will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 8 to 12.

In addition, FIG. 8 is a sectional view, taken along the line A-A, ofthe lens barrel 6 according to the first embodiment, which is in awide-angle state, FIG. 9 is a sectional view, taken along the line B-B,of the lens barrel 6 which is in the wide-angle state, and FIG. 10 is asectional view, taken along the line C-C, of the lens barrel 6 which isin the wide state. FIG. 11 is a sectional view, taken along the lineB-B, of the lens barrel 6 which is in a telephoto state, and FIG. 12 isa sectional view, taken along the line C-C, of the lens barrel 6 whichis in the telephoto state.

At the time of not shooting, the lens barrel 6 is in a retracted(collapsed) state as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, whereas at the time ofshooting, in order to project the lens barrel 6 in the retracted statefrom the camera body, an operator operates an operation member mountedon the exterior member 3 to control the zoom motor through a circuit onthe hard board (not shown), thereby allowing the drive ring 14 torotate.

As mentioned above, rotation of the drive ring 14 causes, the portion ofthe bayonet keyway 14 b into which the bayonet key 9 a is fitted toshift from the collapsing region 14 b 1 through the transition region 14b 2 to the shooting region 14 b 3. Then, according to the lift of thetransition region 14 b 2 with respect to the optical axis direction, thedrive ring itself moves in the optical axis direction.

In addition, rotation of the drive ring 14 causes the first group barrel20 and the second group holder 24 to project in the optical axisdirection, and further controlling the lens telescopic mechanism causesthe third lens group 10 to be moved in the optical axis direction.Therefore, the shooting optical system in the lens barrel 6 (the firstlens group 17, the second lens group 21, and the third lens group 10) islocated at a wide-angle shooting position as shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and10, or at a telephoto shooting position as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.These figures show that, in these shooting positions, the bayonet key 9a is fitted into the shooting region 14 b 3 of the bayonet keyway 14 b,and that the drive ring 14 is projected together with the first groupbarrel 20 and the second group holder 24 in comparison with the lensbarrel retracted (collapsed) state as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, the optical system (the finderlenses 27, 28) of the finder unit 4 is controlled in the optical axisdirection-wise position, according to the shooting position(wide-angle/telephoto) of the shooting optical system in the lens barrel6.

Then, when a release operation is made when the lens barrel 6 is in theshooting state, the camera 1 performers exposure, image processing, andimage recording using publicly-known automatic focusing controlprocessing (AF) and automatic exposure processing (AE).

According to this embodiment, since the bayonet key 9 a formed in thecylindrical portion 9 b of the CCD holder 9 is fitted into the bayonetkeyway 14 b of the drive ring 14, rotation of the drive ring 14 enablesthe drive ring 14 itself to advance or retreat in the optical axisdirection in response to the lift of the transition region 14 b 2 of thebayonet keyway 14 b.

On the other hand, since the pin portion 20 a is fitted to the firstgroup cam groove 14 e of the drive ring 14, rotation of the drive ring14 causes the first group barrel 20 to which the first lens group 17 isfixed to advance or retreat in the optical axis direction along thefirst group cam groove 14 e. In addition, since the cam pin 24 a isfitted into the second group cam groove 14 f of the drive ring 14,rotation of the drive ring 14 causes the second group holder 24 to whichthe second lens group 21 is fixed to advance or retreat in the opticalaxis direction along the second group cam groove 14 f. Then, the drivering 14 itself which transfers its driving force to the first groupbarrel 20 and the second group holder 24 also advances or retreats inthe optical axis direction while rotating, as mentioned above.

In this way, it is possible to add a movement amount of the drive ring14 itself to movement amounts of the first group barrel 20 and thesecond group holder 24 in the drive ring 14, thereby providing a plentyprojecting amount of the shooting lens. Therefore, the present lensbarrel has a lager total length in the shooting state, compared with aconventional lens barrel, provided that both these lens barrels areidentical in collapsed length with each other.

In addition, this embodiment is so constructed to drive the finderlenses 27, 28 in conjunction with the lens barrel 6. In such aconstruction, the transition region 14 c 2 of the finder cam groove 14c, and the transition region 14 d 2 of the finder cam groove 14 d whichare provided in the drive ring 14 are approximately parallel in camtrack to the transition region 14 b 2 of the bayonet keyway 14 b.Therefore, even if the drive ring 14 moves in the optical axis directionin the transition region 14 b 2, the finder lenses 27, 28 cannot move.As a result, an optical axis direction-wise movement of the drive ring14 provides no interference with a zooming operation of the finder unit4. In addition, since it is not necessary to provide around the finderlenses 27, 28 an excessive space required for the finder lens escapingin connection with the movement of the drive ring 14, besides a spacefor the finder lenses 27, 28 moving at the time of shooting, it ispossible to further miniaturize the finder unit and the camera body.

Next, a second embodiment in which a drive ring moving in an opticalaxis direction is applied to a multistage collapsible mount type lensbarrel, as is the case with the first embodiment, will be described withreference to FIGS. 13 to 15. Moreover, component elements identical tothose in the first embodiment are designated by identical referencenumerals, descriptions of which are, therefore, omitted.

<Construction of Lens Barrel and its Periphery>

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a multistage collapsible mount type lensbarrel according to the second embodiment of the present invention,which is in a retracted state, where this figure corresponds to the A-Asection of FIG. 2.

The multistage collapsible mount type lens barrel of this embodimenthas, in the named order, a first linearly-moving barrel 117, a cambarrel 118, and a second linearly-moving barrel 119, all of which arecylindrical, between a drive ring 114 characterizing this embodiment anda first group barrel 20.

The drive ring 114 characterizing this embodiment has, formed on itsouter peripheral surface, three bayonet keyways 114 b comprised of acollapsing region 114 b 1 (corresponding to 14 b 1 in FIG. 6), atransition region 114 b 2 (corresponding to 14 b 2 in FIG. 6), and ashooting region 114 b 3 (corresponding to 14 b 3 in FIG. 6), a findercam groove 114 c (corresponding to 14 c in FIG. 6) for driving thefinder lens 27 in the optical axis direction, and a finder cam groove114 d (corresponding to 14 d in FIG. 6) for driving the finder lens 28in the optical axis direction. Furthermore, the drive ring 14 has,formed on its inner peripheral surface, three drive keyways 114 e andthree bayonet keyways 114 f, respectively.

In addition, a transition region 114 c 2 (corresponding to 14 c 2 inFIG. 6) of the finder cam groove 114 c, and a transition region 114 d 2(corresponding to 14 d 2 in FIG. 6) of the finder cam groove 114 d,which are disposed in the drive ring 114, are approximately parallel incam track to the transition region 114 b 2 of the bayonet keyway 114 b.

The first linearly-moving barrel 117 has a linearly-moving key 117 a onits bottom face and has a bayonet key 117 b on its outer peripheralsurface, and further has a linearly-moving keyway 117 c and three camgrooves 117 d on its inner peripheral surface. The linearly-moving key117 a is fitted into a linearly-moving keyway 109 c of a CCD holder 109supporting the lens barrel according to this embodiment, to therebyrestrict the first linearly-moving barrel 117 so as to linearly move inthe optical axis direction. The bayonet key 117 b is fitted into thebayonet keyways 114 f of the drive ring 114, and holds the drive ring114 rotatably relatively to the first linearly-moving barrel 117 andintegrally in the optical axis direction.

A bayonet key 109 a of the CCD holder 109 is fitted into the bayonetkeyway 114 b of the drive ring 114. When the drive ring 114 rotates, forexample, from a lens barrel retracted (collapsed) state to a shooting(e.g., wide-angle) state, a portion of the bayonet keyway 114 b intowhich the bayonet key 109 a is fitted shifts from the collapsing region114 b 1 through the transition region 114 b 2 to the shooting region 114b 3. Then, according to a lift of the transition region 114 b 2 in theoptical axis direction, the drive ring 114 itself moves in the opticalaxis direction. The drive ring 114 itself moving in the optical axisdirection causes the bayonet key 117 b to be fitted into the bayonetkeyway 114 f, the first linearly-moving barrel 117 moves linearly in theoptical axis direction without rotating integrally with the drive ring114.

The cam barrel 118 has a drive pin 118 a and three cam pins 118 b on itsouter peripheral surface, and further has a first group cam groove 118c, a second group cam groove 118 d, and a bayonet keyway 118 e on itsinner peripheral surface. The drive pin 118 a of the cam barrel 118 isfitted into the drive keyway 114 e of the drive ring 114, and hencerotation of the drive ring 114 causes its rotating force to betransferred to the cam barrel 118 to thereby rotate the cam barrel 118around the optical axis. In addition, the cam pin 118 b of the cambarrel 118 is fitted into the cam groove 117 d of the firstlinearly-moving barrel, and hence rotation of the cam barrel 118 causesthe cam barrel 118 to move in the optical axis direction along the camgroove 117 d.

The second linearly-moving barrel 119 has a linearly-moving key 119 a onits bottom face and has a bayonet key 119 b on its outer peripheralsurface, and further has a linearly-moving keyway 119 c on itscylindrical portion. The linearly-moving key 119 a is fitted into alinearly-moving keyway 117 c of the first linearly-moving barrel 117, tothereby restrict the second linearly-moving barrel 119 so as to linearlymove in the optical axis direction. The bayonet key 119 b is fitted intothe bayonet keyway 118 e of the cam barrel 118, and holds the cam barrel118 rotatably relatively to the second linearly-moving barrel 119 andintegrally in the optical axis direction.

Since three pin portions 20 a are fitted into the first group cam groove118 c and then restricted linearly movably by the linearly-moving keyway119 c of the second linearly-moving barrel 119, rotation of the cambarrel 118 allows the first group barrel 20 characterizing thisembodiment to move in the optical axis direction along the first groupcam groove 118 c without rotating.

In addition, since three cam pins 24 a are fitted into the second groupcam groove 118 d and then restricted linearly movably by thelinearly-moving keyway 119 c of the second linearly-moving barrel 119,rotation of the cam barrel 118 allows the second group lens holder 24characterizing this embodiment to move the optical axis direction alongthe second group cam groove 118 d without rotating.

Next, a lens barrel telescopic operation of a digital camera using themultistage collapsible mount type lens barrel with the above-mentionedconstruction will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 15.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view, taken along the line A-A, of the lensbarrel according to the second embodiment, which is in a wide-anglestate, and FIG. 15 is a sectional view, taken along the line A-A, of thelens barrel which is in the telephoto state.

When an operator operates an operation member on the exterior member 3in the lens barrel retracted (collapsed) state shown in FIG. 14, tocontrol a zoom motor through a circuit on a hard board, thereby allowingthe drive ring 114 to rotate.

Rotation of the drive ring 114 causes a portion of the bayonet keyway114 b into which the bayonet key 109 a is fitted to shift from thecollapsing region 114 b 1 through the transition region 114 b 2 to theshooting region 114 b 3, as is the case with the first embodiment. Then,according to the lift of the transition region 114 b 2 in the opticalaxis direction, the drive ring 114 itself moves in the optical axisdirection.

In addition, rotation of the drive ring 114 causes the cam barrel 118,the first group barrel 20, and the second group holder 24 to project inthe optical axis direction, and further controlling the lens telescopicmechanism causes the third lens group 10 to be moved in the optical axisdirection, thereby allowing the shooting optical system of the lensbarrel to be disposed in the shooting position (a wide-angle state shownin FIG. 14 or a telephoto state shown in FIG. 15).

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the optical system (the finderlenses 27, 28) of the finder unit 4 in the optical axis direction isalso controlled in position, according to the shooting position(wide-angle/telephoto) of the photographic optical system in the lensbarrel.

According to this embodiment, rotation of the drive ring 114 causes itsrotating force to be transferred to the cam barrel 118 to thereby rotatethe cam barrel 118 around the optical axis, and further rotation of thecam barrel 118 causes the cam barrel 118 to move in the optical axisdirection along the cam groove 117 d. In addition, rotation of the cambarrel 118 causes the first group barrel 121 to which the first lensgroup 120 is fixed to advance or retreat in the optical axis directionalong the first group cam groove 118 c. Then, rotation of the cam barrel118 causes the second group holder 125 to which the second lens group122 is fixed to advance or retreat in the optical axis direction alongthe second group cam groove 118 d. Further, the drive ring 114 itselfwhich transfers a driving force to the cam barrel 118, the first groupbarrel 121, and the second group holder 125 also advances or retreatswhile rotating in the optical axis direction according to the lift ofthe transition region 114 b 2 of the bayonet keyway 114 b, as is thecase with the first embodiment.

In this way, also in the multistage collapsible mount type lens barrel,it is possible to add a movement amount of the drive ring 114 itself tomovement amounts of the cam barrel 118, the first group barrel 121, andthe second group holder 125, thereby providing a greater projectingamount of the shooting lens than ever before.

In addition, as is the case with the above-mentioned first embodiment,the transition region 114 c 2 of the finder cam groove 114 c, and thetransition region 114 d 2 of the finder cam groove 114 d which areprovided in the drive ring 114 are approximately parallel in cam trackto the transition region 114 b 2 of the bayonet keyway 114 b. Therefore,a movement of the drive ring 114 provides no interference with a zoomingoperation of the finder unit 4. In addition, since it is not necessaryto provide in the finder unit 4 an excessive space required for thefinder lens escaping in connection with the movement of the drive ring114, it is possible to further miniaturize the finder unit and thecamera body.

A third embodiment in which the drive ring of the above-mentioned firstor second embodiment is applied to a zooming type strobe mechanism willbe described with reference to FIGS. 16 to 19.

<Construction of Drive Ring and Strobe>

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a main part of a digital camerawhich has a lens barrel according to the third embodiment, while showinga relationship between the drive ring and zooming type strobecharacterizing this embodiment.

In this figure, the camera body has a zooming type strobe 201 fixedthereto. The zooming strobe 201 has a strobe holder 203, a Fresnel lens204, a guide bar 205, and a flash discharge tube 206, and is furthercomprised of a reflector (not shown) housed inside the strobe holder203, and a strobe circuit (not shown). This zooming type strobe 201 isso constructed so as to be able to change an illuminating angle of alight emitted from the flash discharge tube 206 as a light source,according to a shooting position of a shooting optical system of thelens barrel. The Fresnel lens 204 has a sleeve 204 a and a cam pin 204b, and is supported linearly movably in the optical axis direction sincethe sleeve 204 a is fitted into a guide bar 205.

A drive ring 202 characterizing this embodiment has, formed on its outerperipheral surface, three bayonet keyways 202 b comprised of acollapsing region 202 b 1 (corresponding to 14 b 1 in FIG. 6), atransition region 202 b 2 (corresponding to 14 b 2 in FIG. 6), and ashooting region 202 b 3 (corresponding to 14 b 3 in FIG. 6), and aFresnel lens cam groove 202 c for driving the Fresnel lens 204 in theoptical axis direction, as is the case with the first or secondembodiments.

The Fresnel lens cam groove 202 c is comprised of a collapsing region202 c 1, a transition region 202 c 2, a wide-angle shooting region 202 c3, a zooming region 202 c 4, and a telephoto region 202 c 5, as shown inFIGS. 18 and 19. In addition, as is the case with the first or secondembodiment, a bayonet key (not shown) of the CCD holder is fitted intothe bayonet keyway 202 b of the drive ring.

The cam pin 204 b of the Fresnel lens 204 is fitted into the Fresnellens cam groove 202 c of the drive ring 202, and hence moving in theoptical axis direction while being supported by the guide bar 205according to lift of the Fresnel lens cam groove 202 c, thereby enablingits strobe illumination angle to be changed.

Next, in the digital camera which has the above-mentioned zooming typestrobe mechanism, a relationship between a movement of the drive ring202 and the Fresnel lens 204 will be described with reference to FIGS.17 to 19.

Moreover, FIG. 17 is a top view showing a relationship between thezooming type strobe and the drive ring when the lens barrel isretracted, and FIG. 18 is a top view showing a relationship between thezooming type strobe and the drive ring when the lens barrel is in awide-angle state. Furthermore, FIG. 19 is a top view showing arelationship between the zooming type strobe and the drive ring when thelens barrel is in a telephoto state.

When the drive ring 202 rotates, for example, from the lens barrelretracted (collapsed) state to a shooting (for example, wide-angle)state by a zoom motor, a portion of the bayonet keyway 202 b into whichthe bayonet key is fitted shifts from the collapsing region 202 b 1through the transition region 202 b 2 to the shooting region 202 b 3.Then, according to a lift of the transition region 202 b 2 in theoptical axis direction, the drive ring 202 itself moves only by adifference (B−A) between a distance A from an optical axisdirection-wise reference position F shown in FIG. 17, and a distance Bfrom an optical axis direction-wise reference position F shown in andFIG. 18.

The drive ring 202 has, on its inner peripheral surface, a mechanism ofmoving the shooting optical system between a lens barrel retracted stateand a shooting state, as is the case with the first or secondembodiment. When the drive ring 202 is in the lens barrel retractedstate as shown in FIG. 17, the cam pin 204 b is in the collapsing region202 c 1 of the Fresnel lens cam groove 202 c.

When the drive ring 202 rotates to project by a distance (B−A) to thewide-angle position shown in FIG. 18, the transition region 202 c 2 hasa lift amount C in such a direction as to cancel a projecting amount ofthe drive ring 202 (refer to FIG. 18). This prevents the cam pin 204 bfrom moving in the optical axis direction, thereby eliminating the needfor an excessive space in connection with the movement of the drive ring202.

When the drive ring 202 rotates from the wide-angle state shown in FIG.18 to the telephoto state shown in FIG. 19, the cam pin 204 b moves inthe optical axis direction by a lift amount D of the zooming region 202c 4, thereby enabling its strobe illumination angle to be changed.

This embodiment is so constructed to zoom the strobe in conjunction withthe lens barrel. In such a construction, it is possible to allow theshooting lens to have a lager total length, even in a case where thecollapsed lens barrel length is short. That is, in the lens barrel withthe construction of the drive ring telescoping in the optical axisdirection like the above-mentioned first embodiment, the drive ring 202has the cam groove 202 c for zooming the strobe illumination angle, inwhich the cam pin 204 b in a side of the strobe 201 is fitted.Therefore, rotation of the drive ring 202 provides a greater telescopingamount of the shooting lens than ever before, and realizes a strobeillumination angle zooming mechanism.

Furthermore, the transition region 202 c 2 of the cam groove 202 cprovided in the drive ring 202 has a lift amount in such a direction asto cancel a projecting amount of the drive ring 202, which prevents theFresnel lens 204 from moving even when the drive ring 202 moves in theoptical axis direction in the transition region 202 b 2. Therefore, amovement of the drive ring 202 provides no interference with a zoomingoperation of the strobe. In addition, since it is not necessary toprovide an excessive space required for the finder lens escaping aroundthe Fresnel lens 204 in connection with the movement of the drive ring202, it is possible to further miniaturize the camera body.

A fourth embodiment in which the drive ring of the above-mentioned firstor second embodiment is applied to a retractable mechanism of a strobewill be described with reference to FIGS. 20 to 24.

<Construction of Drive Ring and Strobe>

FIG. 20 is an external perspective view of a digital camera which has alens barrel according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.Moreover, component elements identical to those in FIG. 1 are designatedby identical reference numerals, descriptions of which are, therefore,omitted.

In this drawing, a strobe 302 characterizing this embodiment is of aretractable type. This retractable type strobe 302 is so adapted thatits strobe body stands up during use of the camera, to make flashshooting available. In addition, during no use of the camera, the strobebody is housed in the retracted position inside the camera body.Accordingly, it is possible to make the camera compact withoutdecreasing its portability.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a main part of the digital camerashowing a relationship between the retractable type strobe and the drivering when the lens barrel is in the retracted state, and FIG. 22 is atop view thereof. In addition, FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a mainpart of the digital camera showing a relationship between theretractable type strobe and the drive ring when the lens barrel is inthe shooting state, and FIG. 24 is a top view thereof.

The retractable type strobe 302 characterizing this embodiment isequipped with a Fresnel lens 305, a strobe holder 306, a rotary shaft307, and a retractable arm 308, and the Fresnel lens 305 is fixed to thestrobe holder 306. The retractable arm 308 has a sleeve 308 a, which isfitted into a guide bar (not shown) linearly movably in the optical axisdirection of the shooting optical system, a cam pin 308 b, and aU-groove 308 c.

The strobe holder 306 has a guide pin 306 a fitted into the U-groove 308c of the retractable arm 308, and is rotatable around the rotary shaft307 fixed to a strobe base (not shown). The strobe holder 306 houses, anoptical discharge tube therein, which is connected to a strobe circuit(not shown) to perform an emitting operation.

When the retractable arm 308 moves along the guide bar, the strobeholder 306 rotates around the rotary shaft 307 by the guide pin 306 afitted into the U-groove 308 c to retract between the retracted stateshown in FIG. 21 and the shooting state shown in FIG. 23.

the other hand, as shown in FIG. 23, the drive ring 312 disposed insidethe lens barrel 6, characterizing this embodiment, has, formed on itsouter periphery, three bayonet keyways 312 b comprised of a collapsingregion 312 b 1 (corresponding to 14 b 1 in FIG. 6), a transition region312 b 2 (corresponding to 14 b 2 in FIG. 6), and a shooting region 312 b3 (corresponding to 14 b 3 in FIG. 6), and a strobe cam groove 312 cinto which the cam pin 308 b of the retractable arm 308 is fitted, as isthe case with the first or second embodiment. Further, the bayonet keyof the CCD holder is fitted into the bayonet keyways 312 b of the drivering, as is the case with the first and second embodiment.

Next, in the digital camera which has the above-mentioned retractablemechanism of the strobe, a relationship between a movement of the drivering 312 and the strobe 302 will be described with reference to FIGS. 22and 24.

When the drive ring 312 rotates, for example, from a lens barrelretracted (collapsed) state to a shooting (e.g., wide-angle) state by azoom motor, a portion of the bayonet keyway 312 b into which the bayonetkey is fitted shifts from the collapsing region 312 b 1 through thetransition region 312 b 2 to shooting region 312 b 3. Then, according toa lift of the transition region 312 b 2 in the optical axis direction,the drive ring 312 itself moves only by a difference (B−A) between adistance A from an optical axis direction-wise reference position shownin FIG. 22, and a distance B from an optical axis direction-wisereference position F shown in FIG. 24.

The drive ring 312 has on its inner peripheral surface a mechanism ofmoving the shooting optical system between the lens barrel retractedstate and the shooting state, as is the case with the first and secondembodiment. When the drive ring 312 rotates from the lens barrelretracted state, shown in FIG. 22, to project by the distance (B−A) tothe wide-angle position shown in FIG. 24, the cam pin 308 b fitted intothe strobe cam groove 312 c moves by the distance (B−A). As a result,the strobe holder 306 rotates around the rotary shaft 307 by the guidepin 306 a fitted into the U-shaped groove 308 c, thereby enabling thestrobe 302 to be retracted.

This embodiment is so constructed to drive the strobe in conjunctionwith the lens barrel. In such a construction, it is possible to allowthe shooting lens to have a larger length, even in a case where thecollapsed lens is short. That is, in a lens barrel with the constructionof the drive ring telescoping in the optical axis direction like theabove-mentioned first embodiment, the drive ring 312 has the cam groove312 c for retracting the strobe into which the cam pin 308 b of theretractable arm 308 in a side of the strobe 302 is fitted. Therefore,rotation of the drive ring 312 provides a greater telescoping amount ofthe shooting lens than ever before, and realizes a mechanism ofretracting the strobe 302.

A fifth embodiment in which the drive ring of the above-mentioned firstor second embodiment is applied to a locking mechanism of a sliding typebarrier for protecting the lens barrel will be described with referenceto FIGS. 25 to 31.

FIGS. 25 to 27 are external perspective views of a digital camera,having a locking mechanism of a sliding type barrier, according to thefifth embodiment of the present invention. Moreover, component elementsidentical to those in FIG. 1 are designated by identical referencenumerals, description of which are, therefore, omitted.

As to a state of the camera shown in FIG. 25, the lens barrel 6 is in ashooting state and a barrier 405 is in an open state. In addition, alocking portion 406 c is in a locked state in which it projects from anopening portion 401 a of a camera body lest the barrier 405 should closecarelessly to thereby interfere with the movement of the lens barrel 6.The barrier 405 is supported slidably in opening and closing directionswith respect to the camera body.

As to a state of the camera shown in FIG. 26, the lens barrel 6 is in aretracted state and the barrier 405 is in an open state. The lockingportion 406 c does not project from the opening portion 401 a of thecamera body, but is in an unlocked state, and the barrier 405 is madeslidable.

As to a state of the camera shown in FIG. 27, the lens barrel 6 is in aretracted state and the barrier 405 is in a closed state. The barrier405 is slid from the state in FIG. 26 to cover a light introducingportion of the lens barrel 6 which is in the retracted state.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a main part of the digital camera,showing a constructional relationship between the barrier and drive ringwhen the barrier is in a state shown in FIG. 25.

As shown in FIG. 28, the drive ring 408 and barrier 405 characterizingthis embodiment have a constructive relation through a barrier lockinglever 406. That is, the barrier locking lever 406 has a sleeve 406 a, acam pin 406 b, and the lock portion 406 c, and the sleeve 406 a isfitted into a guide bar (not shown) which is fixed to the camera body,which causes the barrier locking lever 406 to be supported with thecamera body linearly movably in the optical axis direction of thephotographic optical system.

In addition, the drive ring 408 disposed in the lens barrel 6 has,formed on its outer peripheral surface, three bayonet keyways 408 bcomprised of a collapsing region 408 b 1, a transition region 408 b 2,and a shooting region 408 b 3, and a barrier cam groove 408 c into whichthe cam pin 406 b of the barrier locking lever 406 is fitted, as is thecase with the first and second embodiment. In addition, the bayonet keyof the CCD holder is fitted into the bayonet keyway 408 b of the drivering, as is the case with the first and second embodiment. The drivering 408 has, on its inner peripheral surface, a mechanism of moving thephotographic optical system between the lens barrel retracted state theshooting state.

Next, in a digital camera which has the above-mentioned lockingmechanism of a sliding type barrier, a relationship between the movementof the drive ring 312 and the barrier 405 will be described withreference to FIGS. 29 to 31. Moreover, FIG. 29 is a top view of a mainpart of the digital camera, showing a constructional relationshipbetween the barrier and the drive ring when the barrier is in a stateshown in FIG. 25, and FIG. 30 is a top view of the main part of thedigital camera, showing a constructional relationship between thebarrier and the drive ring when the barrier is in a state shown in FIG.26. Furthermore, FIG. 31 is a top view of the main part of the digitalcamera, showing a constructional relationship between the barrier andthe drive ring when the barrier is in a state shown in FIG. 27.

When the drive ring 408 rotates from the shooting (e.g., wide-angle)state in FIG. 29 to the lens barrel retracted (e.g., collapsed) state bya zoom motor, a portion of the bayonet keyway 408 b into which thebayonet key of the CCD holder is fitted shifts from the collapsingregion 408 b 1 through the transition region 408 b 2 to the shootingregion 408 b 3. Then, according to a lift of the transition region 408 b2 in the optical axis direction, the drive ring 408 itself is retractedinto the camera body by a difference (A−B) between a distance A from anoptical axis direction-wise reference position F shown in FIG. 29, and adistance B from and optical axis direction-wise reference position F inFIG. 30.

In the lens barrel shooting state shown in FIG. 29, the lock portion 406c is in a locked state in which it projects from the opening portion 401a of the camera body. Thereafter, when the drive ring 408 retracts fromthe shooting state, shown in FIG. 29 to the lens barrel retracted stateshown in FIGS. 30 and 31 by the distance (A−B), the cam pin 406 b fittedinto the barrier cam groove 408 c moves by the distance (A−B).

Consequently, the lock portion 406 c is released from theabove-mentioned locked state, and then is retracted in the camera bodyas shown in FIG. 26. When the lock portion 406 c is retracted in thecamera body, movement of the barrier 405 is never disturbed, whichenables the barrier 405 to be in a closed state as shown in FIGS. 27 and31.

This embodiment is so constructed to perform a locking operation,related to opening and closing of the barrier, in conjunction with alens barrel. In such a construction, it is possible to allow theshooting lens to have a larger total length even in a case where thecollapsed lens barrel length is short. That is, in the lens barrel withthe construction of the drive ring telescoping in the optical axisdirection like the above-mentioned first embodiment, the drive ring 408has the cam groove 408 c for locking the barrier into which the cam pin406 b in a side of the barrier lock lever 406 is fitted. Therefore,rotation of the drive ring 408 provides a greater telescoping amount ofthe shooting lens than even before, and realizes a locking mechanism ofthe barrier 405 for protecting the lens barrel.

The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary of the presentinvention, and are not be construed to limit the scope of the presentinvention.

The scope of the present invention is defined by the scope of theappended claims, and is not limited to only the specific descriptions inthis specification. Furthermore, all modifications and changes belongingto equivalents of the claims are considered to fall within the scope ofthe present invention.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2005-208958 filed Jul. 19, 2005, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

1. A lens barrel comprising: a shooting lens disposed movably in anoptical axis direction of said lens barrel; and a lens driving memberwhich moves said shooting lens in the optical axis direction while saidlens driving member is rotating around the optical axis, wherein saidlens driving member has a first cam portion and a second cam portion,said first cam portion is configured to move said lens driving member inthe optical axis direction in a transition region between a shootingregion and a non-shooting region while said lens driving member isrotating around the optical axis, said second cam portion is configuredto move an external member outside said lens barrel relative to saidlens driving member in the optical axis direction while the lens drivingmember is rotating around the optical axis, and wherein said second camportion moves the external member in the optical axis direction in theshooting region, and said second cam portion is formed in the transitionregion so as to prevent the external member from moving in cooperationwith the lens driving member in the transition region.
 2. A lens barrelaccording to claim 1, wherein said external member is for driving anexternal finder lens.
 3. A lens barrel according to claim 1, whereinsaid second cam portion is configured to move the external member in atransition region between the shooting region and the non-shootingregion, and the second cam portion in the transition region is parallelthe first cam portion in the transition region.
 4. A lens barrelcomprising: a lens group disposed movably in an optical axis directionof said lens barrel; and a drive ring disposed movable in the opticalaxis direction and which moves said lens group in the optical axisdirection during which receiving a driving force from a driving unit tothereby rotate, wherein said drive ring comprises a first groove that isformed on an outer surface of said drive ring and that moves a lensbarrel-external member in the optical axis direction while said drivingring is rotating around the optical axis, and a second groove that isformed on the outer surface of said drive ring and that moves said drivering in the optical axis direction toward an object in a transitionregion between a shooting region and a non-shooting region while saiddriving ring is rotating around the optical axis, and wherein said firstgroove is adapted to move said lens barrel-external member in theoptical axis direction in the shooting region, and said second groove isformed in the transition region so as to prevent said lensbarrel-external member from moving in the optical axis direction towardthe object when said drive ring moves in the optical axis directiontoward the object.
 5. A lens barrel according to claim 4, wherein saidlens barrel-external member is an external finder lens.
 6. A lens barrelaccording to claim 4, wherein said lens barrel-extender member is anexternal strobe.
 7. An apparatus comprising: an image sensing device;and a lens barrel that directs scene light to the image sensing device;wherein the lens barrel includes a shooting lens disposed movably in anoptical axis direction of said lens barrel, and a lens driving memberwhich moves said shooting lens in the optical axis direction while saidlens driving member is rotating around the optical axis, wherein saidlens driving member has a first cam portion and a second cam portion,said first cam portion is configured to move said lens driving member inthe optical axis direction in a transition region between a shootingregion and a non-shooting region while said lens driving member isrotating around the optical axis, said second cam portion is configuredto move an external member outside said lens barrel relative to the lensdriving member in the optical axis direction while said driving memberis rotating around the optical axis, and wherein said second cam portionmoves said external member in the optical axis direction in the shootingregion, and said second cam portion is formed in the transition regionso as to prevent the external member from moving with the lens drivingmember in the transition region.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 7,wherein the external member is for driving an external finder lens. 9.An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said second cam portion isconfigured to move the external member in a transition region betweenthe shooting region and the non-shooting region, and the second camportion in the transition region is parallel the first cam portion inthe transition region.
 10. A method of moving a lens barrel thatincludes a shooting lens disposed movably in an optical axis directionof said lens barrel, and a lens driving member which moves said shootinglens in the optical axis direction while said lens driving member isrotating around the optical axis wherein said lens driving member has afirst cam portion and a second cam portion, said method comprising:moving said driving member in the optical axis direction in a transitionregion between a shooting region and a non-shooting region while saiddriving member is rotating around the optical axis with said first camportion; and moving an external member outside said lens barrel relativeto the lens driving member in the optical direction while said drivingmember is rotating around the optical axis with said second cam portion,wherein said second cam portion moves said external member in theoptical axis direction in the shooting region, and said second camportion is formed in the transition region so as to prevent the externalmember from moving with the lens driving member in the transitionregion.